The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners has requested the Federal Government to extend the electricity tariff subsidy to private hospitals as well.
This request was communicated by the association’s National President, Dr. Kayode Adesola, and Secretary, Dr. Debo Adebiyi, in a statement released in Lagos on Thursday.
The association believes that including private hospitals in the subsidy program would help them maintain affordability and accessibility for the citizens who rely on private healthcare services.
It is noted that around 70 per cent of healthcare services in the country are provided by private health facilities.
The Federal Government recently approved a 50 per cent subsidy on electricity consumption for public hospitals nationwide, following a commitment made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
The subsidy is part of the government’s efforts to support public hospitals and universities, including those connected to Band-A feeders.
Furthermore, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the government had sanctioned the 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals.
This move is aimed at reducing operational costs for public hospitals and easing the financial burden on patients.
The leaders of the medical association stressed that the private healthcare sector has long advocated for an electricity tariff subsidy for all healthcare facilities in the country.
“We that have been pleading for respite from just one of the numerous overheads should not be suddenly left out at this stage.
“If the government thinks the public hospitals will need 50 per cent electricity subsidy, then the private hospitals should arguably benefit from a subsidy of between 75 per cent to 100 per cent.
“Over 40 per cent of our overheads go to energy provision as a necessity in our hospitals whether through electricity supply by the DISCOs or self-generated energy.
“And 95 per cent of our patients can never afford the commensurate charges, ”the statement noted.
The association’s leadership stated that numerous private hospitals have been forced to close their doors over the past 18 months due to the overwhelming effects of inflation, while some staff members have contributed to the brain drain phenomenon.
Although the association applauds the government’s decision to subsidize electricity tariffs for healthcare facilities, they emphasized that this support should be extended to all such facilities without discrimination.
“Private facilities that have served the citizens of this country for over 103 years continuously and have faithfully borne all costs of running care delivery, should not be abandoned now that we are asking for support.
“How can private hospitals be left on the same electricity tariff as the blue chip companies, oil firms and the banking industry?
“Yet, it is our responsibility to provide humanitarian services, attending to all cases whether we are paid or not,” they said.
The leaders emphasized that health and education are two crucial areas that receive utmost attention in the world’s most thriving economies.
They stressed that no forward-thinking nation neglects its private sector, particularly the private health sector, which provides 70% of healthcare services and has a commendable presence across the country.
Meanwhile, the federal government recently approved a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals nationwide on August 29, aiming to decrease operational costs and ultimately ease the financial burden on patients, as reported by NAIJATRAFFIC.
